Madibaz in strong start for Shield
Six sparkling tries paved the way for the Madibaz to start life in the lower tier Varsity Shield with a 38-21 win over the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) on Monday night.
Relegated from the Varsity Cup last season after a poor run of results, the Madibaz hit the ground running in front of 2,376 ecstatic home fans.
After holding a 14-7 lead at the break, it was the Madibaz who scored the first points after the second period when hooker Tembekile Boltina scored after a driving maul.
But the terrier-like CPUT side hit back in the 62nd minute when Colin April crashed over the Madibaz tryline.
Play then swung from end to end before Madibaz No 8 Bevan Prinsloo burst through the CPUT defence for his team’s fourth try.
The Madibaz took a vicelike grip on the game in the 63rd minute when Dirk Ferreira went over in the corner.
It was the Madibaz who piled on the early pressure, but they were held at bay by the resolute CPUT defence.
The Madibaz opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Charles Radebe raced away from the CPUT defence after a fine break by Riaan Esterhuizen.
Seven minutes later, it was Esterhuizen who joined the try-scoring party for the Madibaz as the home team began to take control of the contest.